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As the home of rich folk tradition, Andhra Pradesh offers a variety of performing arts unique to its culture. Kuchipudi, the famous classical dance takes its name from a village 60 km. away from Vijayawada just above the delta region of the river Krishna. It was Siddhendra Yogi who developed this form incorporating a repertoire of religious themes. This dance-drama enactment throbs with Telugu lyrics, Sanskrit verses and is distinguished from other dance forms which are interspersed by narratives making it popular and expressive.

'Tholubommalata', a shadow puppetry theatre is a fascinating folk art. Ornamentally painted leather puppets locally referred to as ‘Tholubommalu’ take the form of mythological characters from the two renowned epics, Mahabharata and Ramayana. The inanimate characters are handled with bamboo sticks against a magnificent lamplit background. Percussion instruments played to an intricate beat and lyrical narration reflect the aesthetics of this entertaining folk heritage. Tribal dances contribute in equal measure to the artistic heritage of Andhra Pradesh. The picturesque Araku valley that lies 112 km. from Visakhapatnam shelters nineteen- odd tribes. Many of their folk dances bring colour and joy to their religious processions and harvest celebrations. Dhimsa is one amongst the many colourful dances that present a tribal kaleidoscope in costume, lyric, style and zest.

This is the dance of Lord Shiva, who outraged at the humiliation meted out to Sati Devi, his first wife, picked a relic out of his Jata-Jhuta (hair) and created Veerabadhra. The Veeramusti community which claims to be the descendents of Veerabadhra, perform this vigorous dance with instruments like Thambura, Soolam, Dolu, Thasha and Veernam usually at Draksharamam in East Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. This place is believed to be Dakshawatika, the birth place of Veerabhadra.

The dance of Masks. A typical folk dance form, popular in Tanuku of West Godavari district of Andhra Pradesh. Butta Bommalu which literally means Basket toys are made of woodhusk, dry grass and cow dung. Each dancer wears a different mask over the head and shoulders enlarging the scope of the performer and dances to a nonverbal rhythm which adds colour to the movements. 

The Dappu, a percussion instrument made of goat skin and wood, is a tambourine-like drum which is when played with sticks creates a rhythm that’s softened only by the sound of ankle bells that the 16-20 dancers wear. Part of a Telangana custom which sees the Dappu dancers at the front of any procession, whether it be for Jataras, Festivals or Marriages, this is truly a celebration of the percussion powers of dance. 

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